FOX(LOS ANGELES) — Last week, it was reported that American Idol season-two contestant Corey Clark joined various other alumni from the show in filing a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that claims the show’s background checks are racist. Clark has since filed a lawsuit against Fox and other defendants over a separate allegation.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Clark’s lawsuit claims he suffered “tremendous reputational damage” after Fox issued what he calls a “sham investigative report” in 2005 regarding the alleged affair he claimed he carried on with then-Idol judge Paula Abdul. Fox cleared Abdul of any wrongdoing.

Clark argues that in the aftermath of Fox’s report, he has been defamed, citing as one example a 2012 episode of E! True Hollywood Story on Abdul that denied the two had a relationship.

Clark is suing Fox, E! Entertainment and two other defendants for libel, among other claims.

Last year, Clark sued MTV over its coverage of his story. That case is still pending.